Experimentation

I printed on paper images from my abstract art, photos I had taken and found copy right free images. Then I matte gelled them onto fabric. My next plan is to back with batting and then free motion stitch. Then I plan to paint wash over the whole deal and rub some of it back so the images can peek through. Wonder how it's going to turn out?

Just My Size

Unison is a local arts center near us that - lo and behold! - is sponsoring an art exhibit of small 5x5" art work. Can you imagine how psyched I am about this? Over the weekend I was talking a bit with Melanie about why I like to work small. Manageable is the word that kept coming to mind......I'm able to produce art while living in my often kinetic life, I don't get bored, I can try out ideas without a huge commitment, I can sit quietly with favorite people and stitch while listening to music, or work and get lost in that never, never land of right brainedness that I dwell in so often. Oh....and....I mustn't forget that holding a small piece of textural, fabric art in the palm of my hand is a real visceral pleasure for me.

The piece above (that is not finished) will be a 5x5". It is comprised of one of my abstract paintings printed on silk and then another abstract gelatin print printed on organza and overlaid on the silk. More hand stitching and other textural elements to come.

Love Your Mother

I don't pretend to be a person who does all they are able to help the environment, consume as few fossil fuels as possible or generally practice sustainable living. I grew up as part of the ME generation and those deserving-and-I-owe-it-to-myself thought processes are difficult to realize, acknowledge and change. But I do not know that if there is any chance we humans can turn around or stop the negative impact we've had on the earth (I say this as we continue to emit more carbon dioxide than ever into the atmosphere) it's necessary to stop and think about what each individual can do to adjust their own little piece of the action - NOW. If you think I am an alarmist I encourage you to start reading and watching all the evidence around you. Now is a good time to start hugging a few trees.

Exploration

It seems that water + color can = the piece above. Wednesday night I did my first ever watercolor in art class. It seems once one session of classes is over at the Wallkill River School I immediately sign up for another series of workshops. Pushing your own personal envelopes is a good thing.

Ah Ha!

I had one of those moments last nights. You know the kind....when you try something figuring 'what the heck' and - lo and behold! - the results show promise. I took a gelatin plate print I had done on paper, scanned it into the computer and then printed it on silk fabric. This photo was taken on the run this morning and really does not show the subtle colors and textures very well. This is my new favorite piece (of course favorite pieces hold a tenuous spot in my life) and I think this 'technique' deserves a bit more exploration.

Jewels

This was created by coating sheer fabric with matte gel and then printed by applying textile paints to a gelatin plate. Add a bit of free motion quilting and some hand stitching and call it a day. Gelatin printing gives effects that are just gorgeous - you get these layers and depth of colors that draw you in and engage your attention. Rayna Gillman has written a great book that includes gelatin printing methods and other ideas for altering cloth http://www.studio78.net/ If you at all interested in messing around with paints, dyes and fabric (and getting messy in the process) I encourage you to get her book. Enjoy!

Earthly Elements

Another postcard....painted cotton cloth, free motion quilting, painted cheesecloth, hand stitching and beads. I'm going to try an idea I had for gelatin printing today. If it's successful I'll post the results...if I have less-than-stellar results I might still post the results.

I do like the colors in this piece.

It's All About the Texture

Someone I know is going away to a place that has open air bazaars and marketplaces. She asked me what I wanted her to bring back for me. At that point there was a hesitation in the conversation and then she said 'anything with texture, huh?'. Oh yeah. In some ways she doesn't know me at all but in others she knows me very well.

The piece above started with a base of painted thick interfacing with added gold foiling and pigments. the final touches are painted and tea stained cheesecloth and a heart made from painted dryer sheets.

Fast Paced Times

Another 4x6"er for the museum. I decided against the burnt interfacing and went for beads instead. I really like this piece, probably because it is such a departure from my usual work. I've painted up some other organza and have an idea percolating for another piece. Maybe my kinetic life will allow me to start work on it tonight? One can only hope! And....sorry for blogging and running but my day job is demanding I get ready and go to it....ahhhhhhh.....

With More Than a Nod to Natalya

I really like Natalya Aikens textile art http://www.artbynatalya.com/. Her work has such an ethereal, wispy quality that I find very compelling. Perhaps this is partially due to the fact that my work tends to be saturated with color and not filmy and airy. Case in point...last night I started stitching on silk organza and look what got added this morning - a burnt piece of interfacing. I'm not sure if the burnt piece is staying (I think so but it needs to be burnt more and cut down) but it works with the theme of this piece.....Changing Times.
Time to go start our busy Sunday....have a great day all!

Are you reading this?

I went to post this today and - lo & behold! - Blogger has locked my blog because I might be a spammer. Apparently a human will review my blog and allow it to publish if deemed to be legit. Well I'd like to tell them that no, I'm not a spammer....more like a spammee. Lately my blog has been infiltrated with comments from lottery games, someone getting on an airplane that I should contact immediately (what the heck is that all about?) and other various disreputables. So...bottom line is....I don't know if anyone will ever see this latest pastel or if I will be forever barred from blogkingdom.

By the way, this weekend I'm going to put the pastels aside and work with cloth. The desire to dye and paint fabric has me in its grip.